National
| Median wages (2008) |
$15.85 hourly, $32,960 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
463,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
137,000 additional employees |
47-2141.00 - Painters, Construction and Maintenance
Paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces, using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. May remove old paint to prepare surface prior to painting. May mix colors or oils to obtain desired color or consistency.
Sample of reported job titles:
Painter, Facilities Painter, Maintenance Painter, Highway Painter, Industrial Painter
Tasks
- Cover surfaces with dropcloths or masking tape and paper to protect surfaces during painting.
- Fill cracks, holes, and joints with caulk, putty, plaster, or other fillers, using caulking guns or putty knives.
- Apply primers or sealers to prepare new surfaces, such as bare wood or metal, for finish coats.
- Apply paint, stain, varnish, enamel, and other finishes to equipment, buildings, bridges, and/or other structures, using brushes, spray guns, or rollers.
- Calculate amounts of required materials and estimate costs, based on surface measurements and/or work orders.
- Read work orders or receive instructions from supervisors or homeowners in order to determine work requirements.
- Erect scaffolding and swing gates, or set up ladders, to work above ground level.
- Remove fixtures such as pictures, door knobs, lamps, and electric switch covers prior to painting.
- Wash and treat surfaces with oil, turpentine, mildew remover, or other preparations, and sand rough spots to ensure that finishes will adhere properly.
- Mix and match colors of paint, stain, or varnish with oil and thinning and drying additives in order to obtain desired colors and consistencies.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Hand sprayers — Hopper guns; Pneumatic spray texture guns; Spray texture guns; Stucco patching guns |
| Paint sprayers — Airless spray equipment; High velocity low pressure HVLP spraying equipment; Spray guns; Striping machines |
| Power sanders — Disk sanders; Electric paint removers; Paint stripping equipment; Sanders |
| Pressure or steam cleaners — Hydroblasters; Pressure washers; Steam cleaning equipment; Wallpaper steamers |
| Putty knives — Drywall taping knives; Patching knives; Spackling knives |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Accounting software — Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal Architect |
| Customer relationship management CRM software — Sage Software ACT! |
| Project management software — EST Estimating software; Evergreen Technology Eagle Bid Estimating; On Center Quick Bid |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Contractor City Contractor Forms Pack |
